808 State will be performing the classic album Ninety in its entirety at the London Electronic Arts Festival on 6 March, marking the 25 year anniversary of 90. 808 will be supporting Modeselektor, who will also be joining Graham for talks during the daytime conference. More info and tickets at LEAF and londonwarehouseevents.

So there we have it, a truly one off gig, 25 years in the ‘waiting’ and the holy grail of all 808 live performances. The iconic album which first drew the masses into their sound, and subsequent releases and tours for the avid follower, played in its entirety for the first (maybe) and possibly ONLY time to come.

No fuss, no grand promotion, and no hype. 808 treated it like any other gig. Stuff the music media.

It’s only when you can look back at the gig, that Grahams influence is evident. Those iconic sounds and samples that drew you into their music were mostly his making and without his input, 808 wouldn’t be the ‘UKs Kraftwerk’.

I stand in awe, tongue tied in his presence, as this is the man responsible for 25 years of memories which will never fade. A huge part of my life shaped by their sound. The gig memories, the rare record hunt, the radio shows, the euphoria experienced from hearing their music compared to any other band, every day their music in my head or being played, powerful stuff.

Thank you Graham, and all of 808, for having such a huge influence in my life.